Cyclone softball flashes potential in twin bill split

 HARLAN -- Following a rocky performance in game one of Thursday’s twin bill vs. Creston, the youthful Harlan Community softball team put together its most complete effort of the season in game two, beating the Panthers 10-0 in five innings to salvage a split.
 Starting six eighth-graders in the varsity lineup, the Cyclones lost 4-0 in the first game before outhitting the Panthers 11-2, scoring in every inning and playing error-free defense during the night cap. Shortstop Kaylie Briggs’ third straight single made it 10-0 and gave HCHS its first mercy-rule win of the year to halt a four-game slide.
 The doubleheader split put the Cyclones at 2-4 overall and 1-1 in the Hawkeye Ten. Creston left town at 3-4 and 2-4, respectively.
 Cyclone pitcher Emily Brouse, a freshman-to-be this fall, picked up her first varsity win in the circle with an abbreviated two-hit shutout in game two. Creston put at least one runner on base in all five innings but was never able to rattle Brouse (1-2), who struck out seven, walked three and hit one.